Plus-sized rapper suing Lyft after driver says she can’t fit in car – KRNV
An American Airlines plane collided with a military helicopter crashing into the Potomac River near D.C.’s airport.by JULIAN BARON | The National News DeskTOPICS:DETROIT (TNND) — Detroit-area rapper Dank Demoss is suing the rideshare company Lyft after a driver allegedly barred her from getting in his car due to her weight.Dank Demoss, whose real name is Dajua Blanding, shared a video on Instagram earlier this month of the encounter with the Lyft driver. Blanding can be heard telling the driver she can fit in his sedan, to which he replied “believe me, you can’t.””I’m gonna cancel. You’re not gonna be charged,” the driver said.Blanding, who calls herself “paid phat queen” on Instagram, requested the Lyft ride en route to a Detroit Lions watch party, she told FOX 2 Detroit. Lyft’s anti-discrimination policy explains drivers cannot deny riders based on any “protected characteristics,” including race, color, national origin and gender, among others.Size is not specifically mentioned as a protected characteristic in Lyft’s policy.Marko Law, a Detroit-based law firm, is representing Blanding in her fight against Lyft. She announced the lawsuit Monday on social media, where she vowed to fight for her “community” and praised her legal team. “IF ION STAND FOR SOMETHING ILL FALL FOR ANYTHING,” Blanding wrote on Instagram. “THANK YOU TO MY LAWYERS MARKO & ZACH RUNYAN!The Lyft driver, who said his name is “Abraham,” cited an issue with his tires as the reason for not being able to transport Blanding. Blanding said on social media earlier this month she weighs 489 pounds. Most sedans can carry between 800 and 1,200 pounds of weight.”Lyft unequivocally condemns all forms of discrimination—we believe in a community where everyone is treated with equal respect and mutual kindness,” a Lyft spokesperson wrote in a statement Tuesday. “Our community guidelines and terms of service explicitly prohibit harassment or discrimination.”Got a story idea or news tip? Reach out to Julian Baron on X or via email at jtbaron@sbgtv.com.
